Alpine: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 26,704
Likes: 0
From: Poco, B.C. Canada
Rep Power: 564 
Originally Posted by AlpineCivic
That was uncalled for 
One or two posts about the screen savers is fine but you're just chattin up a bunch of useless information for the sake of conversation. THat's why I asked you to stop whoring it.
I just bought an Alpine CDM-9823 to replace my Pioneer DEH-P3600.
Here are my thoughts:
THE GOOD
- Sound quality is a lot superior to Pioneer (A LOT).
- Installation was a breeze (as always)
THE BAD
- It lacks some very basic features like low/high pass filters, mid EQ
- The UI is somewhat stupid when I compare to Pioneer. For example, I'm listening to radio and I press the Eject button when there's no CD in, it stops the radio, tries to eject the CD for about 5-8 seconds then turns the radio back on...
- Pioneer's UI is a lot more user friendly
- No remote control
- No sub phase inverter
- No sub frequency booster
- No illumination dim at night+
THE UGLY
- DAMN IT'S UGLY! My Pioneer (which I paid cheaper than the Alpine) looks way better
CONCLUSION
- If you want sound quality, Alpine is for you. If you need certain features or want a good looking radio, either buy something else or the higher end Alpine radios.
Here are my thoughts:
THE GOOD
- Sound quality is a lot superior to Pioneer (A LOT).
- Installation was a breeze (as always)
THE BAD
- It lacks some very basic features like low/high pass filters, mid EQ
- The UI is somewhat stupid when I compare to Pioneer. For example, I'm listening to radio and I press the Eject button when there's no CD in, it stops the radio, tries to eject the CD for about 5-8 seconds then turns the radio back on...
- Pioneer's UI is a lot more user friendly
- No remote control
- No sub phase inverter
- No sub frequency booster
- No illumination dim at night+
THE UGLY
- DAMN IT'S UGLY! My Pioneer (which I paid cheaper than the Alpine) looks way better
CONCLUSION
- If you want sound quality, Alpine is for you. If you need certain features or want a good looking radio, either buy something else or the higher end Alpine radios.
Registered!!
iTrader: (18)
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,209
Likes: 0
From: La Puente (626), California
Rep Power: 313
Originally Posted by Pharoh
was it really? Here's the first post.......please find the part that says "***** my thread with your girlfriend for a whole page regarding dolphins and racecars"
One or two posts about the screen savers is fine but you're just chattin up a bunch of useless information for the sake of conversation. THat's why I asked you to stop whoring it.
One or two posts about the screen savers is fine but you're just chattin up a bunch of useless information for the sake of conversation. THat's why I asked you to stop whoring it.
Just looked like you were trying to say something else!
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 26,704
Likes: 0
From: Poco, B.C. Canada
Rep Power: 564
Originally Posted by VTECHGRL
when was that? i thought you called me a *****? damn i need glasses.
I've got the clarion dxz-745mp.....i used to have the alpine cda-9813 i think it was....i liked most of the features that the alpine had a lot better.....the sound volume was much better as well....but with the 745mp, it still sounds nice, can't customize the sound too much, just bass, treble, balance, fade, and sub pretty much, then the two frequencies....but this has a nice dotmatrix display that you can customize the color completely to match the interior....that was a downside to the alpine i thought, having read interior lights on the gauges and everything, then the green and white hu from alpine, it was like it was christmas all the time....but now it's pretty much completely matching....it looks very clean after the install....
Tighter than a third eye after 1 week in prison.
iTrader: (4)
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,608
Likes: 0
From: NorCal.PittsburgWHAT!
Rep Power: 310 i love my alpine deck!
but yeah, you need to spend a little bit more on an alpine deck if you want more features. mine was $350 2 years ago when i bought it.
but why didn't you check the specs before you bought it? and if you hate the way it looks why did you buy it? alpine didn't screw you, you screwed yourself.
but yeah, you need to spend a little bit more on an alpine deck if you want more features. mine was $350 2 years ago when i bought it.
but why didn't you check the specs before you bought it? and if you hate the way it looks why did you buy it? alpine didn't screw you, you screwed yourself.
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 22,702
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Burbs, Other, ZEBRA
Rep Power: 528 How does Alpine sound better than Pioneer? Even high end Premier stuff? My Premier has a 13 band EQ and a bunch of other sound enhancement features and I admit it didn't sound good out of the box and it took a while to get them set right, but it sounds really good now.
Last edited by IronFist; Jan 25, 2005 at 01:32 AM.
Yup, i'm an A$$hole.
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,277
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Rep Power: 328 Thats the difference...your Premier needs that 13 band EQ to sound good 
I leave my 9835 on flat when i'm listening to a CD. I use EQ settings for XM though to pick up more highrange.
I leave my 9835 on flat when i'm listening to a CD. I use EQ settings for XM though to pick up more highrange.
Originally Posted by AlpineCivic
Im into sound quality! So Im always gonna stick to Alpine, Im not into dolphins, or racing cars on the screen of a radio, those are just features to substitute for bad sound quality.
Yup, i'm an A$$hole.
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,277
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Rep Power: 328
Originally Posted by AggressiveAdam
Again, if you were into SQ you would get a seperate amp for your speakers.
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 22,702
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Burbs, Other, ZEBRA
Rep Power: 528 Yeah, I don't use my screen savers. I leave it on the one that gives the most track info. Screen savers were not a factor when deciding on which HU to buy.
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,559
Likes: 0
From: MA
Rep Power: 310 I was with you for the 1st two lines, after that, I disagree with just about everything you said. Here goes.
I just bought an Alpine CDM-9823 to replace my Pioneer DEH-P3600.
Here are my thoughts:
THE GOOD
- Sound quality is a lot superior to Pioneer (A LOT).
- Installation was a breeze (as always)
THE BAD
- It lacks some very basic features like low/high pass filters, mid EQ
That's only a bad depending on who you ask. Personally, I hate using headunit eqs and xovers. One of the things I like about highend alpines is that they have a defeat function where you can eliminate all that garbage
- The UI is somewhat stupid when I compare to Pioneer. For example, I'm listening to radio and I press the Eject button when there's no CD in, it stops the radio, tries to eject the CD for about 5-8 seconds then turns the radio back on... That's true, but isn't it a little trivial. Dont' you think the radio might be saying, "this dipshit keeps hitting eject, and he doesn't remember theres no CD in here. JK- excuse the humor"
- Pioneer's UI is a lot more user friendly
I've found every HU's UI to be friendly once Im use to it . . .
- No remote control
Remotes are standard with upper models.
- No sub phase inverter
My alpines got one. Do you need it? If so, Switch your wiring.
- No sub frequency booster
Boosters are baaad, mmmkay? Boosters just add noise.
- No illumination dim at night+
find that hard to believe. Most alpines have it
THE UGLY
- DAMN IT'S UGLY! My Pioneer (which I paid cheaper than the Alpine) looks way better
If you think it's ugly thats cool I don't. But I'm not dating my HU. If sound Q is superior, I'm sold.
CONCLUSION
- If you want sound quality, Alpine is for you. If you need certain features or want a good looking radio, either buy something else or the higher end Alpine radios.
I just bought an Alpine CDM-9823 to replace my Pioneer DEH-P3600.
Here are my thoughts:
THE GOOD
- Sound quality is a lot superior to Pioneer (A LOT).
- Installation was a breeze (as always)
THE BAD
- It lacks some very basic features like low/high pass filters, mid EQ
That's only a bad depending on who you ask. Personally, I hate using headunit eqs and xovers. One of the things I like about highend alpines is that they have a defeat function where you can eliminate all that garbage
- The UI is somewhat stupid when I compare to Pioneer. For example, I'm listening to radio and I press the Eject button when there's no CD in, it stops the radio, tries to eject the CD for about 5-8 seconds then turns the radio back on... That's true, but isn't it a little trivial. Dont' you think the radio might be saying, "this dipshit keeps hitting eject, and he doesn't remember theres no CD in here. JK- excuse the humor"
- Pioneer's UI is a lot more user friendly
I've found every HU's UI to be friendly once Im use to it . . .
- No remote control
Remotes are standard with upper models.
- No sub phase inverter
My alpines got one. Do you need it? If so, Switch your wiring.
- No sub frequency booster
Boosters are baaad, mmmkay? Boosters just add noise.
- No illumination dim at night+
find that hard to believe. Most alpines have it
THE UGLY
- DAMN IT'S UGLY! My Pioneer (which I paid cheaper than the Alpine) looks way better
If you think it's ugly thats cool I don't. But I'm not dating my HU. If sound Q is superior, I'm sold.
CONCLUSION
- If you want sound quality, Alpine is for you. If you need certain features or want a good looking radio, either buy something else or the higher end Alpine radios.
Registered!!
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 842
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
Rep Power: 0 Believe of not, DEFEAT on Alpine HU doesn't drop the crossover, UNLESS you are using external Ai-Net processor then it drops everything on the PROCESSOR side. But the switch at the buttom (HU Ai-Net switch) disables all function except Vol/Sub/Bal/Fad/Defeat on the HU. Just make a note so that you don't get in trouble in case an some external XO is used.
DEFEAT function on Alpine headunit works as follow, depending on Ai-Net switch position:
1. Normal: Drops all EQ functions, including MX, keeping XO and TC.
2. EQ/DIV: Headunit EQ, MX, TC and XO is disabled by the switch already. DEFEAT is to drop TC, MX, EQ fuction on the PROCESSOR, but doesn't drop XO on the processor side, probably due to some "tweeter protection" in case bi-amp front stage is used(ie. PXA-H700 and 701 can have a dedicate channel for tweeter).
980X and 982X doesn't have dimmer wire, only 981X and 983X have.
There's also a substantial SQ difference between a "Made in Japan" Alpine and "Made in China" Alpine. Unfortunately the Alpine we are having most of the time are "Made in China" unless it's a retail 800+ unit. Goto Alpine's Tech Center to look at a specific model's manual, the PLACE where the manual is PRINTED is where the unit/speaker/EQ is MADE. Still, any Alpine will sound superior to Pioneer.
DEFEAT function on Alpine headunit works as follow, depending on Ai-Net switch position:
1. Normal: Drops all EQ functions, including MX, keeping XO and TC.
2. EQ/DIV: Headunit EQ, MX, TC and XO is disabled by the switch already. DEFEAT is to drop TC, MX, EQ fuction on the PROCESSOR, but doesn't drop XO on the processor side, probably due to some "tweeter protection" in case bi-amp front stage is used(ie. PXA-H700 and 701 can have a dedicate channel for tweeter).
980X and 982X doesn't have dimmer wire, only 981X and 983X have.
There's also a substantial SQ difference between a "Made in Japan" Alpine and "Made in China" Alpine. Unfortunately the Alpine we are having most of the time are "Made in China" unless it's a retail 800+ unit. Goto Alpine's Tech Center to look at a specific model's manual, the PLACE where the manual is PRINTED is where the unit/speaker/EQ is MADE. Still, any Alpine will sound superior to Pioneer.
Last edited by 82801BA; Jan 26, 2005 at 05:34 PM.
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